*This content was translated by AI.
Superstar Shohei Ohtani (32, LA Dodgers) has finally joined the Japanese national team, which is seeking its second consecutive victory in the 2026 WBC (World Baseball Classic) in March. However, from the first day of joining the team, Seiya Suzuki (32, Chicago Cubs) showed his willingness to win the championship by immediately rejecting the "competing offer" of his teammate and "comparable friend."
According to Japan's Sponichi Annex on the 26th, Ohtani, Suzuki, and Yoshida Masataka (33, Boston Red Sox) and other new players from the U.S. joined the national team's training at the Bantherin Dome in Nagoya, Japan. On this day, Ohtani warmed up lightly with catch balls and indoor hits instead of ground hitting training, trying to adjust to the time difference.
The happening took place at a press conference after training. Ohtani and Suzuki stood in front of Japanese reporters. At the meeting, Suzuki said, "Ohtani should hold a dinner held by Darvish Yu during the last WBC competition this time. It will cost 100 billion yen (about 917.3 billion won). Ohtani has to pay," he said jokingly.
Suzuki then looked at Ohtani with the words, "I don't have much time, but I believe he (Otani) will definitely treat me a lot." Ohtani, a "superstar" who won an astronomical contract, was close to a cute request to open his wallet for the team's solidarity.
However, Ohtani's reply was much more "serious" and "cold" than expected. Ohtani said, "First of all, winning is the most important thing. We are not here to eat delicious food. I'm here to play baseball," he replied. "First of all, I think the first thing to do is to focus on the goal of winning and do your best," he said, showing a typical "winning supremacy." Suzuki immediately apologized to Ohtani's response, saying, "I'm sorry," showing signs of panic, turning the press conference into a sea of laughter.
Although the proposal for a company dinner was rejected, Ohtani's determination confirmed that he was so serious about winning the championship. Baseball fans around the world are paying attention to whether Ohtani's charisma, which puts "victory" ahead of "friendship" from the first day of joining, will lead the Japanese baseball team to the top of the world once again.
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*This content was translated by AI.
